HOBE SOUND — A Florida Highway Patrol Trooper is in serious condition at a West Palm Beach hospital after a car struck him as he stood on the side of Interstate 95 in southern Martin County investigating a crash, authorities confirmed.

A 2017 Audi A3 hit Trooper Mithil Patel, 31, of Fort Pierce in the right lane of northbound I-95 just north of Bridge Road, FHP said. He was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach , a Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant, said.

According to a preliminary report, Clifford Perry, 43, of Hobe Sound was driving his 2012 Chevrolet Express north on the inside lane of the expressway and Jenna M. Baxter, 24, of Wellington was in the Audi just ahead of Perry.

Patel and Rony Bottex, 65, of Pompano Beach were standing on the side of the highway. Rony Bottex was the driver in the crash Patel was investigating. Baxter slowed and Perry’s car struck hers, causing it to spin clockwise and strike Patel.

Bottex fell but was not struck by any vehicle, the report said. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Martin Memorial South Hospital in Stuart.

Perry was taken to Martin Hospital South with minor injuries, the report. It said he was wearing a seat belt. Baxter was not hurt. The report doesn’t clarify whether she wore a belt.

Alcohol is not believed to be involved in the crash, the report said. It took place at mile marker 96, west of Hobe Sound and about 8 miles north of the Palm Beach-Martin county line, Martin County Fire Rescue said.

WPEC-TV Channel 12, which had come to the scene to report on the initial crash, captured video of the trooper and the second man standing by a vehicle and another vehicle spinning into the two.

Comments:

Accident attorney Jason Weisser of Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller and Overbeck responded to this unfortunate crash. “This is a serious accident resulting in several serious injuries. We hope the investigators can quickly determine what caused the accident. Please be careful and obey the speed limits whenever you are driving a motorcycle, car, SUV or truck. We hope that all parties involved consult with an experienced trial lawyer. If you have been injured in an accident, call my office for a free consultation and find out what your rights are.”

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